Not all VNs are romance, though. Not all of them have multiple routes/endings, either (Planetarian I recall didn't have any choices, and I don't think Higurashi/Umineko do either, to name some popular ones).

Not all VNs are romance, though. Not all of them have multiple routes/endings, either (Planetarian I recall didn't have any choices, and I don't think Higurashi/Umineko do either, to name some popular ones).

so there pretty much just virtual books that may have a branched story line?

Hey Kasin, if you're curious about visual novels, then you might want to try some freeware titles. There's a decent number which are worksafe and in English. While I freely admit that "freeware" sometimes implies low quality, there's some gems out there... and it's easier to justify playing a free game rather than paying money for something you don't know if you'll enjoy.

The Renai Archive at http://www.renai.us offers a variety of free visual novels written originally in English. Almost everything on the site is worksafe, and will work on Windows, OS X, and Linux computers. I'm currently a fan of "Autumn," "1 Billion Rupiah Girl," "Mail Order Bride," "Daemonophilia" (which has mature themes), and the romance game "RE: Alistair."

At http://altogether.insani.org , you can find a number of freeware visual novels which fans have translated into English. These are rare examples of translated visual novels which don't have harems, and don't have obligatory sex scenes. Some don't even include branching paths. I definitely liked "Panda Samurai," "A Midsummer Day's Resonance," "My Black Cat," and "The World to Reverse" (mature themes).

Finally, if you have an iPhone/iPod Touch, or an iPad, then I currently recommend "The Flower Shop: Summer in Fairbrook." It costs all of two dollars, and unlike some of the other titles on iTunes, has coherent English text. It's an adaptation of an indie game for PC/Mac/Linux, and it's less complex but also easier.

A few days ago I finished Hanachirasu. Pretty decent action VN. Akane made for one awesomely villainous protagonist. Some of the lengthy explanations related to the history and sword-fighting technique were a bit much to read through, as much as they did add to the story.

I haven't played a VN in awhile, so I got back into it with the newly translated Sono Hanabira ni Kuchizuke wo ~Watashi no Ouji-sama~

It's a straight up nukige (aka VN that focuses on the porn) but the Sono Hanabira series is some of the most beautiful I've seen. Definitely my favorite nukige series, though I did prefer the first one over this newer one. (The Anime OVA is fantastic as well)

Aside from watching the progress meter on Umineko episode 8, the next game I'll play will probably be a Nitro+ game because of all the Madoka love lately.

I recently played "Heian Love" on my iPod Touch. (While I have no objection to computer games, I really like consoles and portable devices.) I don't quite understand the historical context, so the characters' behavior doesn't make much sense... though I'm otherwise enjoying it. The English text could use some work, but it's better than most of the other translated VNs on iTunes. ("My Neighbor Girl" and "Twilight Cherry" were almost unreadable, and the text in "Pinky Distortion" needed a lot of work.)

All the random avatars this time are from LJ and I don't own any of them. Some of the avatars are credit to aristocracy, Taku ♫ arthursandwich, noxjustxnoin, imperial-code, dojicons, narrante, dino-cookie, shiroyuki_kun, takerzmuse, and ushitora_icons at LJ. I DON'T OWN ANY OF THE ICONS.

Currently into and playing: All Megaten games, Blazblue series, and P4MU. Waiting for: Pokemon BW2 and BB3.

So there's gonna be an Umineko no Naku Koro Ni: Symphony of the Golden Dreamer 2 coming real soon despite the original game only been out for about 3 months.

Here's a few details on in so far.

Quote

Since it doesn't look like anyone's posted it here yet, the sequel to Ougon Musou Kyoku was announced today. Looks like it'll be coming out either at Winter Comiket or Summer Comiket.

Ryuukishi mentioned that he'd like the most recent character contest to influence the lineup of new characters. He also made a point of mentioning how surprised he was to see Lambdadelta so high in the polls. Make of that what you will.

He's also thinking about adding a mode to make special abilities easier to use (pushing a button to use Battler's blue truth was his example). Though he doesn't seem too sure on that point, and is asking for fan input.

Finally, Ryuukishi said that he wants the sequel to include a CG mode, where new pictures are unlocked as you play the game. ...And he's looking to fans to help supply them. They'll apparently be accepting images by email until the end of March.

What we know so far:
* Images may contain characters that aren't in Ougon Musou Kyoku, but should stick with characters from Umineko.
* Sizes 1920*1080, 1600*900, and 1280*720 in png format
* Each person can submit up to three images
* Previously released images are allowed, but the submitter must have the rights to them
* Monochrome images are okay
* Images should be all-ages appropriate
* The images might be altered for the game
* They might have to lower the amount they're accepting
* Email should be sent to bbs＠07th-expansion.net, with 黄金夢想曲ＣＧ応募 as the subject.
* Names will be included in the credits, so be sure to include a pen name that you don't mind being displayed.
* We haven't heard their thoughts on submissions from overseas, but please remember that 07th Expansion doesn't speak English. Except they could probably recognize the word 'name'. Except in Japanese, that means you're mocking them. Or it could mean you're licking them. Ah, language is fun..

But anyways, I personally believe it's a bit too early to start working on a follow up when the current game has a few issues (and two characters who're not unlock yet) but hey, if R07 thinks it is time to work on a follow up, let them be as long as the gameplay is improved and not just addin' more characters and features.

Also, just give me Goatman, Rena, Tanako, Lambadelta, and Bernkastel to play as and I'll be happy.

All the random avatars this time are from LJ and I don't own any of them. Some of the avatars are credit to aristocracy, Taku ♫ arthursandwich, noxjustxnoin, imperial-code, dojicons, narrante, dino-cookie, shiroyuki_kun, takerzmuse, and ushitora_icons at LJ. I DON'T OWN ANY OF THE ICONS.

Currently into and playing: All Megaten games, Blazblue series, and P4MU. Waiting for: Pokemon BW2 and BB3.

The creator of Umineko has authorized the Witch Hunt fan translation group to create English translation patches. Parts one through seven are currently complete. So if you go to http://www.witch-hunt.com , they will "...walk you through where you can buy the game and how to install it with our translation patch."

Ougon Musou Kyoku? Haven't heard of this. I heard of when they cry as well as the spinoff in the mansion but not this.

Is Umineko no Naku Koro Ni even translated? I heard it wasn't but they have the OST/anime/OVA/etc. already on youtube and tons of MAD videos

Ougon Musou Kyoku is a spin-off fighting game of Umineko. It plays like Melty Blood and a little bit of the Marvel Vs. Capcom series with the tag-team system. It's actually a pretty good game esp. for a company that mostly produces Visual Novels. My only complaint about it is the lack of characters but otherwise it's a solid game you should get if you love fighting games.

The VNs are translated by Witch Hunt and the anime are just fan translations.

dorkatlarge, on 06 March 2011 - 10:45 PM, said:

The creator of Umineko has authorized the Witch Hunt fan translation group to create English translation patches. Parts one through seven are currently complete. So if you go to http://www.witch-hunt.com , they will "...walk you through where you can buy the game and how to install it with our translation patch."

All the random avatars this time are from LJ and I don't own any of them. Some of the avatars are credit to aristocracy, Taku ♫ arthursandwich, noxjustxnoin, imperial-code, dojicons, narrante, dino-cookie, shiroyuki_kun, takerzmuse, and ushitora_icons at LJ. I DON'T OWN ANY OF THE ICONS.

Currently into and playing: All Megaten games, Blazblue series, and P4MU. Waiting for: Pokemon BW2 and BB3.

One of the projects created during the March 2011 "Nanoreno" event on the Lemma Soft forums was a short visual novel called "My Magical Cosplay Cafe." It's free, worksafe, very short, and quite silly. Here's the link: http://sakevisual.com/magicos.html

Wow, I had never heard of Visual Novels until I came across this thread (well maybe I had HEARD about it but never really looked into it). I tried out RE: Alistair like someone suggested and LOVED it! I actually felt kind of depressed after it was over...I had already started growing attached to the characters

Wow, I had never heard of Visual Novels until I came across this thread (well maybe I had HEARD about it but never really looked into it)...

Visual novels are still an obscure part of anime/manga/game fandom. Unless you search around, it's frustratingly tough to find anything in English that's worth discussing. Well-written stories get obscured by all the mindless NSFW stories And it's always good to remember that Sturgeon's Law definitely applies.

AngelWings8, on 08 April 2011 - 09:37 AM, said:

I tried out RE: Alistair like someone suggested and LOVED it! I actually felt kind of depressed after it was over...I had already started growing attached to the characters

If you enjoy reverse harem stories/games, here's a list of what's available in English: http://vndb.org/g542...m=0;o=a;s=title (The list includes fan-made and professional translations, and content written in English.)

All the random avatars this time are from LJ and I don't own any of them. Some of the avatars are credit to aristocracy, Taku ♫ arthursandwich, noxjustxnoin, imperial-code, dojicons, narrante, dino-cookie, shiroyuki_kun, takerzmuse, and ushitora_icons at LJ. I DON'T OWN ANY OF THE ICONS.

Currently into and playing: All Megaten games, Blazblue series, and P4MU. Waiting for: Pokemon BW2 and BB3.

The latest game from Winter Wolves, "Remember Me," is now available for pre-order at the group's official site. It's a reverse harem game that's written in English, and safe for work. It emphasizes detailed life/dating simulation gameplay. So if this sounds interesting, then be sure to download the Windows, Mac, or Linux demo first, and make sure it will run on your computer. The full version will cost you twenty US dollars.

A full fan translation patch for Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side 2nd Kiss (DS version) has been released: http://gokusaishiki....iss-final-patch So yeah, two of the three Girl's Side games are now completely translated. Just a year ago, I never thought any of the Tokimemo games would have anything other than a few FAQs in English.

THTR, on 16 May 2011 - 10:17 PM, said:

After much waiting and many delays, my copy of Demonbane finally arrived in the mail today!

I've looked at Jast's promotional site, and at the VN's entry on TVTropes. Not sure if I'm interested enough to spend forty dollars. If there's some aspect of Demonbane you find especially fascinating, be sure to say so.

Looked at Mirai Nostalgia on the VNDB. Might not be an exceptional harem story, but some of the images are appealing. (Also it's a bit disappointing to realize that no one's fully translated, or working on translating, any Purple Software games.)

A few days ago, people on the gbatemp.net forums released a technically complete patch for LovePlus. All of the text is now translated, though keep in mind that it may take them another month or two in order to remove any bugs which may exist, or correct any errors/inconsistencies.

Not too long ago, I found a visual novel called "Tears 9, 10" on iTunes. The English version will cost just a bit, and it should work with most iOS devices. Its background art is not especially good, and the English text could use some proofreading. Regardless, it has a story which is worth reading at least once. It kept me thinking for days.

Some years ago, I read the first two X-change VNs. Unfortunately, I didn't have many positive things to say about them.

Yesterday, I finally got around to reading the fan translated version of Deep in a Thicket, which was written and illustrated by Takahiro Awatake. If you don't recognize the name, he hasn't created anything famous yet... but he has made a number of offbeat, surreal comics and images. Just keep in mind that many of his illustrations are not worksafe...

Finally, I re-read Doomfest's freeware visual novel Memo for the first time in maybe a year. This person's art is impressive. The writing... well, I'll just say that this time I found only one of the important characters to be sympathetic.